Multi-unit binder



July 12, 1960 c. H. cRosBY ErAL 2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER Filed Jan. so, 1959 s shets-sheet 1 TTD/QN@ July 12,1960 c. H. cRosBY ETAL 2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER Filed Jan. 30, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 July l2, 1960 c.H. cRosBY ETAL 2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 30, 1959 Z/VEN 7101-115 951H. DRUsEy F.' Lum-f1.. @aufm-LBEQ;

July 12, 1960 C. H. CROSBY I'AL MULTI-UNIT BINDER 4 E H .u a 5 m d Q mi;DT l MEME T 8 fd@ D a R Filed Jan. 30. 1959 nl. n .1 n

July 12, 1960 c. H. CROSBY ET AL 2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER 8 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1959 July l2, 1960 c.H. cRosBY ETAL 2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 30, 1959 .ZA/VENTURE'DHDQDSELQ HLE'EQG July l2, 1960 c. H. CROSBY ET AL 2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER Filed Jan. 50, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 zo @a Z-NVENTQEUHDQUEEL/ ,CML/,fsmJ ,QAJLL/QHLEEQE July 12, 1960 c. H. CROSBY ETAL2,944,378

MULTI-UNIT BINDER Filed Jan. 30, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 f CHE'RSEQFILL/NHL.

RR LUFLEE'RE E5 /K I MULTI-UNIT BINDER Charles H. Crosby, Cranford,Frank Wahl, North Bergen, and Roger R. Wahlberg, Bloomfield, NJ.,assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Jan. so, 1959, ser. No. 790,230 17 claims.(ci. s7-1z) This invention vrelates to cable manufacturing apparatus,particularly apparatus for forming unit type telephone cable. Unit typetelephonecables are now being made with only a small number'ofconductors, such as 25 twisted pairs in each unit and, as more fullyexplained inpatent application of William T. Hicks, Serial Number782,538, led December 23, 1958, even these small units in some cases arebroken into several groups to more easily obtain a compact cable. v

Such cable cannotbe manufactured economically by the old procedure, thatis, by stranding each unit (or group) separately and then combining themin a ycabler 'since that would involve a large number of stranderoperations. Combination, strander-cabler machines have thereforetbe'en:developed to make multi-unit cable from twisted pairs in one operation.In the cables made by such machines cross talk between pairs ofdifferent" units is prevented,v by running the pairs of eachunit througha unitface plate and oscillating each plate about its own axis toproduce a constantl variation in the relative positions of the pairs inthe adjacent units as they arecabled together.

These new machines make the older separate stranding and cablingmachines obsolescent at least for making cablesv of the smaller sizes. nY

The object of ths invention is an apparatus which makes it possible tomanufacture high quality, multi-unit telephone cables 'from twistedpairs in one operation with existing cablers.

v According to the invention a plurality of oscillable face plates, withindividual binding units, vsuitable controls and driving mechanism, areassembled into a unitary structure for positioning between a telephonewire supply stand and a conventional cabler, to receive theV individualtwisted pairs, from reels on the stand and combine them into units orgroups, in the relative positions they are to occupy in the cable, andguide them through a common binder to the revolving take up of thecabler.

A feature of the apparatus includes a cradle supporting a plurality offace plates of twist heads apertured to receive groups of conductorsrandoperatively connected to a single power means to rock the headssimultaneously to cause alternate twists in the groups of conductors. Ahollow motor driven binding unit for receivingrthe conductors from eachtwist head isy mounted in the cradle to bind the twisted groups ofconductors into units'.

Other important features of the apparatus include the electrical andpneumatic controls, someof which are utilized during. threading of theconductors through the apparatus while others control the operation ofthe ap- Other objects and advantages will be apparent from n bindingheads; and,

strand control units.

A. :2,944,378 `Patentedxluly 12, 1960 Ice the following detaileddescription when considered `in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus, portionsthereofbeing broken away;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view taken along'the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along'the line `along the line'5-5 Fig.A 9 is'a schematic. illustration of ia portion ofthe electricalpneumatic control; l

Fig. lO, when placed at the rightof Fig.'9, is an additional'portion ofthe electrical pneumatic control;

Fig. l1 is a schematic illustration of the circuits conditioned forfunction through the numerical operated contact plug; g

Fig. 12Vis a `schematic illustration of the entire apparatusparticularly the circuits under thecontrolofthe Fig. 13 is afragmentary'detailed view of oneoffthe YReferring rstto Fig. 12, numeral15 represents a supply unit for supporting numerous reels of conductors,either single or pairs of conduct-ors, to be kfedtoran'y desired numberof the twisting heads yin the cablingapparatus 16. After the conductorsleave 4the apparatus 16 they will pass through a conventionalcoreubinding unit 17 and on to a ta-keup unit 18 whichy is driven `byama-in motor 20. A i l.

Attention is now `directed to Figs. l to '8 Vinclusive where theapparatusV 16 includes a stationary structure 22 including sets ofrollers v23, 24 and 25 for frockably supporting a cradleAindicatedgenerally at 26. The cradle 26 has parallel disc-like members27 and 28 secured-to -gether in their.. relatively spaced positions bycylinders 29. The cylinders 29 are secured to the members 27^and 28 bysuitable means 30 and continuebeyond the member 28 for the left ends aresecured to` a verticalLmembe'r 32. Pistons 33 of the cylinders 29`haverods 3'4 which extend through apertures of the member 32 after leavingtheir cylinders and have their outer ends secured at.35 to a disc-likemember 36. The members 32 and 36 are also parts of the cradle 26. Y

The member 27 has a central -aperture and six additional aperturesequally spaced from the central aperture and having bearings 38 mountedtherein. The bearings 38 as shown in iFigs. 5 and 6 rotatably supporttwist heads `40 which are hollow to receive their respective groups ofpairs of conductors 41 from the supply `r15. Each head 40 is recessed at42 to removably receive-a face plate 43. The face plates 43 areidentical in structure with a groove 44 in the periphery 'thereoftoreceive aflocating pin 45 of each twist head to locate each face platein a zero or starting position. The facelplatesyare identicallyapertured andprovided with'vvearf'resi'stant bushings 46 through whichthe pairs of wires41`trave1. Pairs of'latches 49, spring pressed asshownat l50 infFig. 7; are normally urged into holdingzpositionsat oppor.site/sides of the face platesin each twistheadto secure thegfaee' plateinto position-and to permitdt ,tobenremovedreadily during threadingoftheiapparatus. Sonie of the twist'heads 40`have Jhand wheels 451 mountedthereon manual operation of the heads during threadcause like rocking orrotary motions of the twist heads simultaneously and in like directions.The idler sprocket 57 is spring actuated at 58 to hold the chain tautabout the sprockets. The drive sprocket 56 is mounted on a shaft 60,supported by the member `27, the shaft also having a gear V61 mountedthereon. The gear 61 is driven by a reversible motor 62 through a speedreduc- `ing`unit63 and a driving connection indicated generally at 64.The driving connection includes a sprocket 65 mounted on an output'shaft`66`of the unit 63 and a chain 67 driven by the sprocket 65 to` drive asprocket 68which Ais mounted on one end of a shaft 69, a gear 70 whichinterengages the gear 61 beingamounted on the other end of the shaft.

A disc-like plate 72 (Fig. 1) interposed between the members 27 and'28is supported at 73 bythe cylinder 29 and has apertures therein alignedwith the twist vheads40 through which the groups of wires 41 may pass.Stationary hollow guides 75 receive the groups of wires .41 and guidethem through like binding units indicated generally at 76. The bindingunits 76 and their motors 77 are supported by the member 28 and disposedbetween the plates 32 and 72 concentric with theguide 75. The'Y guide 75in each instance extends through not only the motor 77 but also thebinding unit 76. One of the binding units is'shown'more in detail inFig. 8 and includes a member 79 which is xed in any suitable manner tothe hollow shaft of the motor 77 to be driven thereby. lThe outer casingof the motor is xed in any suitable mannervto the member 28. Thestructure identied at 77 as being the motor may in reality be a motorand a gear reduction unit controlling the speed of rotation of theserving head.

The member 79 has an annular cylinder like portion 80 adapted to receive-air under pressure through passageways 81 connected to sources ofsupply described hereinafter. An annular piston-like member 82 is causedto rotate with the member 79 and is supported for axial movement onbearings 83 under the control of air under pressure in the cylinder 80.A support 85 for a cop 86 of binding material 87 is mounted on bearings88 to rotate freely as a material 87 is pulled off the cop when beingwound spirally on a cable unit 89 formed of the .conductors 41. A tube90 of the cop 86 is held against a shoulder 91 `of the support 85 byclamps 92. A brake element 93 xed to the piston-like member 82 has atapered surface 94 positioned to engage a cop 86 as indicated at 95,through the application of air under pressure to the piston-like member82 apply a braking force to the cop to create a predetermined tension inthe material 87. However, after approximately half the material 87 hasbeen removed from the cop the braking eiect of the element 93 becomesless eicient and at this time auxiliary braking elements 97 in the formof nylon studs, disposed at spaced positions about the center line ofthe binding head and mounted in the element 93, are forced against anadjacent surface of the shoulder 91 to apply a brake drag on the support85 and thereby continue creating the desired tension in the material 87.

'Ihe material87 when leaving the cop 86 extends through Yan elongateaperture 98 in an outer shell 99 and travels over surface 100 oftheshell until it reaches the 'outer edge thereof from which point ittravelsto'the lcableunit 89where it is wound spirally thereon.Considering both Figs. 1 and 8 attention is directed to an `arm1014 of aswitch 102,Y the arm being ,constructed and Yagreg/s pivotally supportedso that, through the aid of a dashpot 103 slowing the downward movementof the arm, the arm will be held upwardly yby the material 87 to holdthe switch open as long as the material is being served to the core 89.If the material S7 breaks the arrn 101 will be allowed -to move to thedotted position and close the switch 102. The binding unit ..17 shownschematically in Fig. l2 is substantially identical to the binding units76 and has a lmaterial controlled switch 102' identical to the switches102 and inuenced by a dash-pot not shown.

The member 36 Fig. 1 has a guide 10'4 mounted on the right side thereof`'for each pair of twist and binding heads to receive the cores 89moving therefrom. 'I'Ihe guides 104 assist in the application of thematerial 87 to the cable unit in eachinstance and also function insupporting extra cops 86 of the material 87. The left side of the member36 supports groove rollers 105 and guides 106 for all of the cable units89 with the exception of the center or core unit which is caused totravel yin a straight path to the binding unit 17 (Fig. l2) where it ismet in advance of the unit 17 by the other cable units and caused to betwisted together into the formation of the iinal cable by the rotaryaction of the takeup unit 18.

Some of the important features of the apparatus are the mounting of thestranding means (the twist heads 40) and the cabling means (the bindingunits 76 and guides 104) in a cradle 26 which can be opened and rockedinto various positions to facilitate threading operations in preparingthe apparatus for operation. The threading operations always depend uponthe type of cable to be produced. The number of cable units in eachcable depend largely upon the required number of pairs of conductors. Ifdesired a single unit cable may be formed using the center twist head 40and binding unit 76 using also any desired number of the guides 46 inthe center twist head. In a similar manner any desired number of theouter twist heads 40 and companion binding units may be employed usingalso any desired number of the guides 46 of their face plates, dependingupon the numbers of pairs of wires to be included in the selected cable.

When the apparatus is idle, air under pressure may be applied throughlines of each cylinder 29 to force the piston 33 to the left, moving theguides 104 with the member 36 to the left, a distance great enough toprovide access to the serving head's 76. The rollers 25 are jointlysupported by a sleeve 107 and the sleeve is slidably disposed on a rod108 which is mounted on the support 22. At this time the cradle may beconditioned to be rocked by a reversible motor 110 (Fig. 2) to impart arotary movement to the cradle in either direction to bring into positionany of the outer binding units and twist heads for threading of theconductors 41 therethrough and for changing or adding new cops to thebinding units.

During normal operation of the apparatus the cradle is locked againstrotation by a groove 111 of a camlike member 112 supported by bracket114 mounted on a lever 115. The cam-like member 112 has tapered surfaces116 and 117 positioned to engage a roller 118 supported at the innerside of the member 28 to cause the roller to terminate in the recess 111to lock the cradle, at what may be described as a `zero or normaloperating position. A brake element 119 mounted on the bracket 114 ispositioned to engage the periphery of the member 28 during any positionof the cradle, with the exception of that inV which the roller ispositioned to engage the element 112 the brake serving to stop and holdthe cradle in any selected threading position. The motorr110 and acompanion speed reducing unit 120 therefor are mounted on the lever 115,the lever being pivotally supported at 121. An output shaft 122 of theunit 12) has a sprocket`123 mounted thereon and a chain gana-vs "124connects the sprocket'operatively to an inner sprocket 125 mounted on ashaft 126. The shaft 126 is journalled in suitable bearings of a bracket127 mounted on the lever 115 and has a sprocket 128 mounted thereon. Achain 130, lying in an annular groove 131 of the member 28, interengagesthe sprocket '128 and as a connection Vfor the-power means 11d-#120 todrive the cradle in either direction when the lever 115 is in the downposition shown in Fig. 2. A piston rod 133 of an air cylinder 134 hasits lower end connected at 135 to the free end of the lever 115 whilethe cylinder is pivotally supported at 136 by a iixed bracket 137. Theair cylinder 134 is operated at predetermined intervals selectively tocause driving connection with power means for rocking the cradle whenthe lever 115 is in its downV position and to stop the cradleV at anyselected position including the zero position when the lever is in itsup position.

Electro-pneumatic controls Attention is directed to the controllingmeans for the apparatus shown in combined Figs. 9 and 10 and in Figs.ll'and l2. Atthe top center of Fig. 9, a unit '140' receives air under acontrolled pressure from a supply .means 141 and directs the air throughlines 142 in any suitable manner Vto the cylinders 80 (Fig. 8) ofthevarious'binding units. A uid line 143 connects the unit '140 to thersupply line 144 extending from the supply 'means 141. A YconstantVpressure regulating valve 1145 .and a check valve 146 in yaddition to asolenoid valve '.147 are mounted in line 143. An auxiliary line.148'extendsv from the supply line 144 to the line 143 and has -a vconstant'pressure control Valve 150 and a solenoid valve 151 mounted therein.VThe solenoid valve 147, although shown open, is normally closed whilethe solenoid valve 151-although shown closed,` is normally opened.'At'the start of theV operation of the apparatus, anormally'cnpenedVswitch'152 is closed completinga circuit from. Aline'153 through winding154 of solenoid valve 151 to vline 155 Venergizing valve 151 into theclosed position shown. At the same time a circuit is completed throughia'ftime delay switch 156Which is actuated into the closed positionshown after a predetermined time interval allowling 4solenoid 151 toclose after which winding 157 will move solenoid valve -147into theopened position shown, Yopening line 14310 unit 14@ for the air undercontrolled pressureto pass to 'the binding units.

The air cylinder k29 of `Fig.f9, representing all ofthe .air cylinders29 ofthe cradle, is manually controlled by 'a .doublethrow switch .158to` selectively/.energize windings 159 and 160 of solenoid valve 161.The valve 161 is mounted between lines 162 and 163 on one side, leadingto opposite ends of the cylinder 29, a -supply line 164 andan`exhaust`line 1'65 on the oppositesides thereof. The fsupply'lineY'164is connected at 166 to the supply lineY 144 through a constantpressure regulating valve 167. The winding 159 of the solenoid valve 161when energized moves the valve into the position shown causing theair'under pressure Ito move thepiston -33 to the right -to close thecradle Fig. l to move the guides 184 into thepositions shown. in thatgure. When the winding 160 is energized the portion 168 of the valvewillbe Valigned with the iluid lines connecting lines' 162-165 and163-164 reversing the'directio-ns of flow of the Huid under-pressureandthe exhausting of the air from the :cylinder to move the piston tothe left to open the cradle. Y The valve [167 controls air underpressure to a supply line 170 for the air cylinder 134, Figs. 2 and 9,'which has lines 171 and V172 leading therefrom at opposite ends 4of thecylinderto a solenoid valve 173. The valve 173 .controls the. owof theair .under'pressure through either -line`171-or s172'to the cylinder'and from the cylinder :through anexhaust line 174. The valve-173 is inits nor- .mal positionl urged into that positionby a spring-175 toconnect line 171'with the-supply 170fto force the piston v theirrespective `opposite directions.

cylinder 134 `to the exhaustline 174. A winding 176 of theysolenoid-'valve 173fis under the control of normally openswitchesr177and 178 in a circuit extending from line 153vtoline 155. Windings 181and 182 for the switches 177 and 178 are under the control of cradlemoving means originating with the motor 110. 'Ihe motor-110 is ofthereversible type shown in Figs. 2 and 9 and receives its electricalenergy from a source 184. The schematic illustration of the motorcircuit includes positive lines 185 and 186 when respectively joinedwith va negative line 187 through a normally open double acting switch188 will cause energization of the motor in Winding 189 when energizedwill cause closing of the bottom contacts of the switch 188 whereasenergization of winding 190 will v cause closing of the top contacts.

f Attention is now directed to a series of limit switches at the `bottomof Fig. -9 indicated at 191, 192,' 193 and 194. Y The switches 191 to194 inclusive are mounted with respect to the member 28 of the cradleand are provided `with conventional rollers on their outwardlyprojecting armsto be engaged and operated by suitable cams. In thepresent instance a cam 196 mounted on one side of the member 28 has itsends positioned to respectively engageand operate the switches 191 and192 to stop the rotating'means by deenergizing the motor 110. -In other'-words, the switches 191 and 192 limit the rocking motionsof the cradlein their respective directions. The limit switches A193 and'194have'their respective cams 198 and -1199 mounted on the other side orface ofthe member 28 to assistin'returning the cradle to its zeroposition.

Manually operable switchesV 208, 2411 and 282 in the lower'portionofFig. 9 are identified respectively as zero, lleft hand lup and righthand up swtiches. vThese titles )indicate the actions on the cradle 26after the downward movement oftherespective switches. The switches areshown in their normal positions closing their top contacts. If thecradle is to be rotated to move the left hand side thereof up, switch201 is pressed to open its top contacts `and Vclose its bottomvcontacts. Regardless of which of thefthree switches 280, 201 or 202 isoperated acircuit is completed through the winding 176 of valve '173 Atomove the valve from the normal position shown toits operated position tocause the air cylinder 134 to ymove the lever 115 downwardly to free thecradle for rotation and to connect the driving means 12S-130 '('Fig 2)for the motor 110. Returning to the manually ypressed switch 201, theleft hand bottom contacts com- `plete arcircuit from line 153 throughwinding 181 to line 155 closing switch 177 to energize Winding 176 ofsolenoid Valve A17?. The right hand bottom contactsfof Vswitch201complete a circuit from line 153 throughl said contacts from connection205, normally closed switch 192, wi1v1ding'190V of switch unit 188 toline 155. This will energize thermotor in a direction to rotate thecradle clockwise (Fig. 9), that is7 to move the left hand Aside thereofup until either switch 201 is freed to return toitsnormal up position oruntil cam 196 engages the roller of switch 192 to open the switch anddeenergizes 'the-.windinggl The switch unit 188 returns to its neutralorl center kopen position deenergizing the motor 110. When the switch201 is released and returned' to its Y '-top contacts, winding 181 isdeenergized, switch 177 `opens, winding 176 deenergizes and valve 173returns to "Manual lactuation of switch 202 from its top contacts to itsbottomy contactsaccomplishes a similar result, the

`Irdiierence being in the direction of rotation Vot" the cradle,

moving the righthand side ofthe cradle up. The bottom l'eft`contacts Vofswitch 282 energize winding 181 to effect operation `oi." valve 173 andair cylinder 134 to move the upwardly and to connect line 172 at'the'topofthe air .75 lever .l'l'sfdownwardly .to 4free the vcradle for rockingmoveinent and connect the driving means 12S-130 for Vthe motor 110.Closing of the bottom right 'contacts of switch 202 completes a circuitfrom line 153 through said contacts, through normally closed switch 191and Winding 189 of switch unit 188 to line 155. This operation of switchunit 188 causes driving of the motor 110 in a direction to move thecradle counterclockwise, to move the right hand side up until switch 202is opened manuallyor until cam 196 opens switch 191.

Regardless of the position of the cradle, when the apparatus has beenthreaded for the next operating period, manual actuation of the zeroswitch 200 will return the cradle to its zero position. Movement ofswitch 200 to its down position, closing its bottom contacts completestwo circuits, the iirst extending from line 15,3 through winding 182 toline 155, to close switch 178, energize winding 176 of valve 173 tocause downward movement of the lever 115 to free the cradle for rockingmovement and to connect the motor 110 with its drive means 12S-138. Thesecond circuit is completed through one of the switches 193 or 194.These switches are positioned with respect toY their cams 198 and 199 sothat when the cradle is in its zero position, both switches will Ybeopen and when thecradle'is moved in either direction vfrom the zeroposition one of the cams 198 or 199 leaves its switch freeing it toclose a circuit. When this occurs ,a circuit will be completed from line153 through the bottom contacts of switch 200, top contacts of switch201 and 202 through the closed switch 193 or 194 and -through one or theother windings 189 or 190 controlling the direction of rotation of themotor 110 to return the cradle to its zero position. For example, if theleft hand side of the cradle is up, freeing the switch 193 to close theaforementioned circuit, after leaving the top contacts of switch 282will extend through closed switch 193, closed switch 192, winding 190 toline 155. The motor 110 will be driven in a direction to rotate thecradle counterclockwise until cam 198 opens switch 193, deenergizingmotor 118 and eilecting stopping of the cradle at the zero position. Asimilar action takes place to rock the cradle clockwise to return it toits zero position using, however, switches 194, 191 and winding 189.

Fig. l illustrates another portion of the control circuits combined withthose of Fig. 9 including a circuit from line '153, Fig. 9, atconnection 205 through closed left contacts of switches 201 and 202,through closed switch 206, winding 207, of time delay switch 208,connection 289, and to line S of Fig. 9 at connection 210.

Switch 206 has a roller type projection 211 positioned to ride on theperiphery of member 27 and receivable in a recess 212 when the cradle isin its zero position. The time delay switch 288 is set for closing aftera predetermined length of time which is needed to permit rockingmovements of the cradle to selected positions for threading of theapparatus, a number of these movements permitting temporary or momentaryclosing of switch 206 by the roller member 211 entering in the recess212'. However, it is not until the apparatus is threaded and suilicienttime elapses after the return of the cradle to its zero position thatswitch 208 is closed to cause energization of winding 214 of lsolenoidvalve 215 into the position shown where air under pressure from a supply216 will travel to the bottom of an air cylinder 217, forcing the piston218 upwardly while at the same time air above vthe piston will beexhausted through line 219. When the winding 214 is deenergized thedirection of ilow of the air under pressure is reversed to force thepiston 218 downwardly in the air cylinder 217. The piston 218 carries amultiple contact plug 220 for interengagement or' its contacts withcontacts of a socket 221 supported by the cradle and aligned with theplug when the cradle is in its zero position. The plug 220 and thesocket 221 are shown schematically in Fig. 11 where single lines 222,223, 2214, 225, 226,227 and 228 represent multiconductor units formotors 77 of the seven binding units,

`153 and 155. trol circuit 235 until motor 20 is at full speed at whichVat 235' which is responsive to any or all of the Switches 1182-102shown in Figs. l, l2 and 13. The switches are shown schematically assimple contact switches in Fig. l2 but actually they are mercuryswitches of the 4type shown at 236, held in a bracket 237 on a rockablesupport 238. The support 238 is mounted on a pivot 239 and has an arm240 fixed thereto with a curved outer end 241 positioned to be engagedintermittently by the binding material 87 from its respective bindingunit. A lever 242 xed to the support 238 is connected to a movableportion 243 of its dash-pot 183, this unit serving as means to retardmovement of the support238 and arm 240 to move the switch 236 into itsclosed position where it will be allowed to move if the material 87 paysout or breaks.

Each switch 102 of the seven binding units in the cradle and the switch102' of the binding unit 17 have switches 245 selectively includingtheir switches 102 or 102 in the control circuit 235 if their bindingunits are being used or to exclude their switches from the controlcircuit if their binding units are not being used. Another switch 246may be opened to exclude all of the switches 102 if only a single coreunit is being formed. A manually operable switch 248 adapted foroperation when the 'cradle is idle may be closed just prior to startingan operating cycle of the apparatus to complete a circuit through a timedelay switch 249 in a circuit between lines The switch 2'49 delaysclosing of the contime switch 249 is closed, placing the control circuit235 under the control of all of the switches 102-102' which have beenmade active through closing of their switches 245. While the apparatusis in operation and the binding materials 87 continue their rapid turnson the cable units, the control circuit 235 will remain open allowingcontinued energization of the motor 20 to advance the strands throughthe operatiton of the takeup '18. The circuit -for the motor 20 is shownschematically in Fig. 12 as receiving its electrical energy from asource 250 and including a manually operable switch 251 and a time delayswitch 252. The winding of the time delay switch is in the circuit 235which will remain inactive until one of the'switches 102 or 102 isallowed to operate into closed position through breaking of thematerial. At that time,

after a predetermined time delay, switch 252 will operate to open thecircuit to motor 20.

Operation The twist heads and the binding units, together with theguides 104 assisting the binding units, are mounted 'in the cradle 26which may be opened readily for the vthreading of the conductors throughthe apparatus and at the same time the cradle may be rocked in eitherdirection to position the sets of strand receiving portions of theapparatus convenient for the threading of the conductors therethrough.During the threading operation the plug 220, Figs. l0 and l1, initiallydisposed externally of the cable, is removed from the socket 221supported.

Vthe cradle in its adjusted position and disconnecting the driving meansof the motor 110. These operations continue until the desired number ofconductors have been threaded through the desired number of guides 46 ofthe face plates of the twisting heads*40`which1are`to'rbe used, andalso,lthrough their respectivezbindingunits 76, their guides 104 and on`through the core binder17'ito the takeup 18. The binding materials 87.ofthe units76k and ,17 are secured tothercable: units 89 and tothecable core beyondvthe binding units 17.l .v

At this time the cradle isready tothe returned toits zero position byactuating the switch 200 (Fig. A9). Regardless of the position of thecradle, during actuation of the zero switch 200, circuits will becompleted to cause energization of thew motor 5110, after 'itsconnection has been completed `throughoperationwof the valve 173, torotate the cradle'in a direction to return'it to its zero position.vAtthistimeroller 118, 'Fig 2, enters krecess 111 and. roller .211, Fig..10, entersthe' recess 212 `ofthe member-27 ofthecradleclosing arcircuit including winding 207 'of time delay. switch. 208. After `apredetermined interval-of time .controlled by the'settihg of the` switch208 this switch .will.close,fenergizingwinding 2'14of the valve .215,operatingthe valve; into the position-shown and holdingit in Athisposition. Piston 218 nof` the -air cylinder'i 217 will .be,moved.upwardly to cause Sinterengagement of the plug 220 with the socket 221and complete electrical connections of the various electrically operablemeans in the cradle including particularly the motors 6'2 and 77. 'I'heoscillating motor 62 when energized is under the control of anoscillating reversing switch unit 255 which brings about rocking of thetwist heads as shown in Fig. 3. During the time delay ofthe switch 208to cause interengagement of the plug 220 with the socket 221, switch 160may be operated to move the valve 163 (Fig. 9) into the position shownto operate the air cylinders 29 particularly the pistons 33 thereof t0move the member 36 of the cradle into the closed operating positionshown in Fig. l.

The apparatus is ready for operation after closing main switch 152 tooperate Valve 151 and subsequently through time delay s witch 156 tooperate valve 147 to direct the uid under control pressure from unit 140Vto the various brake elements of the binding units. Closing of switches251 and 248 complete the starting means for the apparatus. The apparatuscontinues in its operation until it is desirable to stop it for feedingnew cops 86 to the binding heads, until the desired length of cable hasbeen formed or until any strand 87 breaks. The result of the latterresults in its switch 102 or 102 closing the control circuit 23S tooperate the time delay switch 252 to open the circuit to the motor 20and stop the apparatus. The common connection 231 with all of the motorsresults [in stopping of their rotation, upon deenergization of the motor20.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-unit cable binder comprising a rockable cradle, means tosupport the cradle for rocking movement, a plurality of twist headsrotatably supported at spaced positions by the cradle, Yface plates forthe twist heads apertured for their respective groups of strands to formtheir respective cable units, motor driven means operable to rotate theheads to cause the face plates to form reverse spiral twists in thestrands of each unit, a hollow motor driven serving head, through whicheach cable unit passes, supported by the cradle 'and aligned with itstwist head to serve a spiral wrapping of material on its cable unit tobind the strands therein together, and means to rotate the cradle on itssupport to facilitate threading the strands through the heads.

2. A multi-unit cable binder according to claim 1 in which the rotatingmeans for the cradle includes a reversi- '10 ble motor, renergizable` byselective switches to rotate the cradle in either direction. Y

3. A multi-unit cable binder according to claim 2 in 'which cams movablewith the cradle are positioned to actuate switches at the ends of themovements of the cradle from a normal position to Ydeenergize the motor.4. A multi-unit cablebinder according to claim 3 in Vwhich a zeroingcircuit closed by a single switch energizes the reversible motor ineither direction to return the cradle to its normal position.'

l5. A multi-unit cable binder according to claim 4 in which directionswitches operable by cams on the cradle condition the zeroing circuit toenergize the reversible motor in the right direction to return/thecradle to its normal position.

6. A multi-unit cable binder according to claim 2 in which-thereversible motor is mounted on a support movable between rst andsecond positions to respectively connect the motor to anddisconnect themotor from theYV rotating means, andV means operable to move rthesupport into said positions. i

'7. IA cabling apparatus accordingly to cl-aimf in which a brake mountedon the support is moved in-to engagement with the cradle to stoprotating movement of the cradle when the support is moved into itssecond position.

8. A cabling apparatus .according to claim 1 in which latches readilyremovably hold the face plates in the twist heads Iand means in thetwist heads assure location of the face plates at like positions intheir twist heads.

9. A cabling apparatus according to claim l in which the cradle h-as azero position in its supporting means, a plug disposed at a givenposition with electrical connections to sources of electrical energy, asocket Vwith electrical connections to the motors movable with thecradle and disposed in alignment with the plug when the cradle is in thezero position, and means operable to engage the plug with and todisengage the plug from the socket.

10. A cabling apparatus according to claim 9 in which a switch ismounted adjacent the cradle, a circuit including the switch controllingthe plug operating means, means carried by the cradle to hold the switchopen until the cradle returns to the zero position, and meansregistering with the switch when the cradle is in its zero position toallow the switch to close. l

lll. A cabling apparatus according to claim 10 in which an electricaltime delay unit is disposed in the switch circuit so that the cradle maybe moved through the zero position in either direction and hold the plugoperable means unoperated during momentary closing of the switch.

12. A cabling apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced parallelmembers one being movable relative to the others, twist headsoperatively supported by one of the members to receive groups ofconductors advanced longitudinally therethrough to form cable unitsthereof with twists therein, binding heads aligned with their respectivetwist heads and supported by another of the parallel members, hollowguides for the cable units disposed in alignment with their bindingheads and mounted on the movable member, iluid operable cylindersinterposed between certain of the members and spaced from each other,pistons of the lluid cylinders having rods extending to and Xed to themovable member, and means actuable to operate the cylinders to move themovable member with the guides -for the cable units towards and awayfrom the binding heads.

13. A cabling apparatus according to claim l2 in which the parallelmembers and the iiuid operable cylinders with'their piston rods form arockable cradle for the twist heads, the binding heads and the guidesfor the cable units, and means supporting the parallel members of thecradle for rocking movement.

14. A cabling apparatus comprising a main motor energizable to drive atakeup for a cable formed of a preconductors advanced through each twisthead, a circuit v for the main motor including a normally closed switchunit electrically operable :after a given time delay into open position,an electrical operating circuit for the switch unit, and a main switchfor each binding unit,

made a part of the operating circuit, held open by the successive turnsof the strand thereof and free to close upon breakage of the strand toclose the operating circuit.

15. A cabling apparatus according to claim 14 in which a selected numberof the twist heads `and binder units may be used to form a cable of apredetermined number of conductors, and an `auxiliary switch for eachmain switch operable to render the main switches of the unused binderunits ineective to close the control circuit.

16. A cabling apparatus according to claim 14 in which a core bindingunit is energizable to wrap successive turns Yof a strand about a cablecore formed of the cable units, and a main switch 'for the core bindingunit, made a part of the operating circuit, held open by the successiveturns of the stnand on the cable core and free to close upon breakage ofthe strand to close the operating circuit.

17. A cabling apparatus according to claim 14 in which va control unitfor each main switch retards the closing .action thereof so that eachturn of the strand will hold the main switch open.

' References Cited-in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,752,497 Massingham Apr. 1, 1930 1,996,4511 Bes Apr. 2, 1935 2,003,353Fantone et al June 4, 1935 "2,221,555 Reynolds Nov. 12, 1940 2,279,115Ewaldson et al Apr. 7, 1942 2,412,196 LAshbau'gh et al. Dec. 10, 19462,572,052 Pheazey Oct. 23, 1951 2,623,345 Grieve Dec. 30, 1952 2,790,299

Gillis et al.` ...Q Apr. 30, 1957

